Lima Police report growth at Safety City, DARE and summer programs; officer honored classroom named for longtime volunteer

Officer Eric Miracle, the Lima Police Department official who oversees the department's Safety City and DARE programs, told the Lima City Council the programs expanded this year and reached more children than in the previous year.

Miracle said Safety City and associated programs run multiple seasonal offerings: a 13-week Rad Kids program that typically runs from September through December, a 10-week DARE program beginning in January for fourth- and fifth-graders, and a multiweek summer academy that combines Rad Kids and DARE material. He described Safety City field trips as covering topics including gun safety, bicycle and fire safety, recognition of trusted adults, and how and when to call 911.

The officer gave attendance figures: Safety City hosted 51 field trips this year with a total of 1,714 children, up from 40 field trips and 1,244 children the previous year. He said an April open house drew “2 to 300 people” and that a separate trunk-or-treat event included about 70 participating businesses; he and others estimated total attendance at recent large events as roughly 5,000–6,000 people.

The department recognized longtime volunteer Bob Butler by naming the program classroom the Bob Butler Training Center within the Willis F. Meyer Safety Center. Miracle described Butler as “a staple out there for many, many years” and recounted the mayor presenting Butler with a proclamation.

Council members who spoke after Miracle’s report praised the programs. Councilor Wilkerson thanked Miracle for his “commitment” and noted his visible pride when speaking about his grandson; Councilor Thompson called Miracle’s work “amazing” and credited him with helping restart neighborhood programs; Councilor Glenn praised the Halloween and community engagement work that draws visitors from across the region; Councilor Jordan commented on the value of prevention programs such as DARE and Rad Kids.

Miracle told council the department ran several special events this year, including a joint DARE lunch with school winners, a concert with the Allen County Sheriff’s Department that drew about 800 children, and a community trunk-or-treat that he said had very large attendance. He also described partnerships with local organizations and businesses — naming Nutrien, UNOH, Facet Farms Equestrian Therapy Program and others — and said staff and volunteers helped refurbish a cruiser and install a memorial bench.

Council members asked no policy questions that changed program funding during the meeting. Miracle closed by thanking staff and volunteers and encouraging continued community participation.

The report was delivered during the council’s “reports of officials” agenda item; there was no formal vote associated with the report.